The 9 best Korean joints in Singapore
Going beyond the usual Tanjong Pagar BBQ spots
Going beyond the usual Tanjong Pagar BBQ spots
If you think authentic and flavourful Korean cuisine is difficult to find in Singapore, think again. Below, we present the nine best eateries that offer quality Korean meals, from glazed, fried chicken wings to hearty barbecues and stews.
Captain K’s Korean-inspired concept offers a towering feast; up to nine steaming layers of seafood and shellfish are stacked above a hotpot. As diners work their way through the tower, the juicy goodness of each layer trickles downwards, enriching the flavour of the soup base underneath. Get ala carte dishes like the salt-baked Sri Lanka mudcrabs or sliced beef steak to snack on in-between layers.
For thick, juicy cuts of premium meat grilled to Korean barbecue perfection, head to Go K BBQ. They specialise in aged meat; pork and beef are dry-aged for 15 days to allow more flavour and tenderness. Order their aged pork belly and aged beef brisket, and try not to fill up on their side dishes and appetisers while waiting.
This cosy, no-frills restaurant tucked away in Serangoon Garden has a wide variety of Korean classics such as the beef bulgogi, kimchi stew, seafood pancake, jjajangmyeon and more. They also offer 10 different side dishes with free refills.
A taste of Seoul hidden in the West, HoHo is a family-run restaurant that serves tasty, traditional Korean food. Grab a table at their outdoor seating area and enjoy staples like the seafood pancake and army stew, along with a bowl of hearty makgeolli.
Fast Korean food is a thing now, thanks to Jinjja Chicken, which currently boasts five outlets islandwide. The Halal-certified fast casual eatery serves Korean-style fried chicken and street food, made with Asian staples like noodles and rice. Try the signature Jinjja Wings, Tteokbokki fries, and for a healthier twist, their Tofu Bibimsalad.
Occupying what was once a food court at Concorde Hotel, Kim Dae Mun’s restaurant-worthy fare costs around $10 or less. Must-tries include their fried saba fish, beancurd soup and fried dumplings. Authentic, appetitising and affordable–it’s no wonder this casual Korean eatery is always packed.
There’s no shortage of Korean eateries in the Tanjong Pagar enclave, and this K-barbecue joint is one of its best. What we like about O.BBa, aside from their variety of quality meats and traditional dishes, is their impeccable service. Just sit back and relax as their servers take over the grill, serving up perfectly cooked meat for your dining pleasure. O.BBa operates till 7am, making this the perfect late-night supper spot.
SBCD is all about traditional Korean soft toufu soup (Soontofu), brewed using silky handmade soybeans from Paju, South Korea. Stars of their sizeable list of Soontofu flavours include the Original (it boasts a 10-ingredient secret recipe soup broth), and the Assorted, which is a mix of spicy tofu, beef and shellfish. For a more unusual meal, give SBCD’s Korean puffer fish dishes a try.